Singaporean government has just launched a new health move aiming to promote safety and health at workplaces. Named as Total Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Framework, the initiative is created from the collaboration between the WSH Council and the Health Promotion Board.

Under the programme, workers can go through health screening to check for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol so they can get help to manage the illness. According to Second Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo, the initiative aims to identify at-risk workers whose health markers are a cause for concern and help at least a fifth of them achieve significant health improvements after one year of intervention.

“Hopefully, this will also help reduce the safety lapses related to poor health,” she said on Sunday (Apr 22).

As much as 500,000 workers are expected to gain benefits from this programme over the next three years. To meet this target, the authorities will set up more Total WSH services centres, conduct training of professionals including designated workplace doctors and occupational health nurses, as well as initiate customised services to address health issues.

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Speaking at this year’s WSH campaign at Our Tampines Hub, Mrs Teo noted that half of the workplace deaths and injuries in the last few years were owing to ill health. While last year’s fatality rate was recorded low, at 1.2 per 100,000 workers, she said there remains a challenge of sustaining the momentum for reducing deaths at the workplace.

“It will not be easy, particularly when the construction and marine sectors recover and the activity levels go up,” she added.

At the event held yesterday, workers could get some time to spend with their families and colleagues while learning about health and safety at the workplace. The event also included a carnival that featured a 30m obstacle course, as well as ergonomic solutions and healthy lifestyle exhibits.

WSH Council chairman John Ng commented that more needs to be done to promote good work practices, such as involving everyone to reduce risks at workplaces, Straits Times reports.

“Every workplace injury and ill health is preventable, and we can take a little time to take care of ourselves and others in the midst of our work,” he said.

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